As summer bakes Schuylkill County, air conditioners have become the standard in many homes, businesses and buildings.
"(Thursday was) the hottest day of the week but it will cool down into the 80s by the end of the week," John LaCorte, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Thursday.
However, things remained cool in the Schuylkill County Courthouse on Thursday with help from an industrial chiller device outside the commissioners' office. The water cooling machine works with the air conditioning systems on the roof and the individual office units to cool the entire courthouse.
Bill Liptok, director of public works for Schuylkill County, said the unit is only a 1 1/2 years old. He said the project to replace the older unit cost about $165,000.
"We were very fortunate to change it out and get a new unit before we ran into any difficulty," Liptok said.
He said the previous unit was there for about 28 years before it started to deteriorate. He said it took 14 weeks for Kohler Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. to have the unit built, shipped and installed.
"There's a lot of planning when you have a large piece of equipment. It doesn't just happen overnight," Liptok said.
Liptok said the air conditioners were installed at various times, but most are more than 20 years old and have been holding up pretty well. He also said the air conditioners for the county prison were installed with renovations just over 25 years and continue to operate fine.
"Just because something is old does not mean it is no good," Liptok said. "They are not like newer units that are more efficient and economical to run, but if something is working, let it alone."
Liptok said archives at the courthouse are in the process of having their air conditioner replaced. He said the unit should arrive next week and it will take two or three days to install.
Another unit is being replaced at the prison while one is also being repaired, Liptok said.
Replacement of the rooftop unit for the prison classroom was recently approved by the county commissioners at $25,000.
Repairs are being made to the window unit for offices in the front of the prison. Liptok said the repairs were "very minimal" compared to replacement.
"Not many units have had to be replaced," Liptok said. "Maintenance is a critical part of our operations and we do a pretty good job of it."
Jim Zerbey is the air conditioner technician for the office of public works.
"He does an outstanding job for us," Liptok said.
Rest Haven nursing home in Schuylkill Haven also has rooftop air conditioners and Liptok said they, too, have been pretty well-maintained.
Meanwhile, local residents are also trying to beat the heat.
"It seems like air conditioners are more a necessity now," said Rob Green, Barnesville, who was at the Schuylkill Mall on Thursday with his 6-year-old son, Austin. "I like the summer. I like the heat. We have a pool and a yard. It's not that bad."
Green said their home air conditioner was installed last summer and is usually on for most of the summer.
"It's a big improvement. We used to go to the mall and movies a lot more to cool off, but now we like to play video games in the air conditioner," Green said.
While Green said the family spends most of their summer in their pool, he also said they like to go to the movies and mall.
Elaine Maneval, Schuylkill Mall manager, said more people have been coming to the mall to cool off.
"I definitely think we have seen an increase in mall walkers," Maneval said Thursday. "It's nice for people to come in and out of the heat and shop. There's definitely a noticeable difference between the temperature inside and outside."
Maneval said most of the larger stores in the mall have their own energy management system that controls lighting and air conditioning. She said the biggest challenge for the mall is keeping the area cool near the three sky windows, specifically the large one over center court.
People can also keep cool by seeing a movie at the Schuylkill Mall Theater.
Kendra Moyer, assistant manager of the theater, said the movie theater has definitely been an attraction for people looking to get out of the heat.
"If people don't have a pool at home, they can come here in the air conditioning and enjoy a movie with the family," Moyer said. "It has been really hot and humid, so more people have been coming to the theater."
Moyer said this year's blockbusters have also contributed to more people coming to the theater. Construction started this week to upgrade the theater, but it has not interfered with any showings, Moyer said.
"Movies on the Mountain has been picking up this year, too," Moyer said.
Movies on the Mountain is a drive-in feature by the theater in the mall's parking lot. There are two screens, each with two movies. Movies on the Mountain is open Friday through Monday with the first feature beginning at 9:15 p.m., with gates opening at 8:15 p.m. Moyer said the theater cooks food on the grill for the movie and every Monday night is $10 per car.
"There's always something exciting for everyone, even for families on a budget," Moyer said.
Showtimes for the Schuylkill Mall Theater and Movies on the Mountain, visit the Schulkill Mall's website at www.shopschuylkill.com.